Deadly poultry ailment, Newcastle disease, reaches Ventura County

Staff and wire reports
A bird twisting its neck is one of the symptoms of Newcastle disease.

A Southern California outbreak of a devastating poultry disease has reached Ventura County, prompting a warning to residents who raise chickens. 

A case of Newcastle disease, a potentially deadly virus for birds, was found in a private owner’s flock of chickens in Ventura County. The local case follows the May 17 discovery of the disease in Los Angeles County and its spread to San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

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Although not dangerous to humans, the disease is considered one of the most lethal for poultry. It’s highly contagious among birds and deadly for the ones carrying it, with no known treatment available. An outbreak in 2002 that started in a backyard flock eventually spread to 22 commercial poultry farms, resulting in the deaths of 3.2 million birds.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture notified Ventura County Animal Services of the local case. The organizations are working with poultry owners to respond to the findings, while state officials have euthanized potentially exposed birds to prevent the disease from spreading.

Since May, the disease has been found at 74 residential properties in Southern California, triggering the quarantine of more than 1,000 homes and euthanization of more than 9,000 birds. Testing is taking place in areas with commercial poultry operations, but officials said the disease has yet to be found there.

This slide shows virulent Newcastle disease virus in the conjunctiva of a chicken. The virus is indicated by the brown stain.

Recently, state and federal officials held outreach meetings in Southern California with backyard bird owners and students raising poultry for school projects to talk about disease prevention.

Maurice Pitesky, a veterinarian and University of California extension specialist in the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis, said one of the challenges in keeping a lid on the disease is the continued popularity of raising backyard chickens. 

“While people have the best intentions, unfortunately a lack of biosecurity practices in people’s backyards is one of the contributing factors of the disease spreading,” Pitesky said.

Pitesky said backyard chicken owners should watch their flocks closely.

Symptoms of infection in birds include sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, diarrhea, neck twisting, circling, tremors, swelling around eyes and neck, paralysis and death.

The virus can be transferred among birds via respiratory discharge and feces.
Local bird owners are urged to the keep their birds away from other birds and practice biosecurity measures, such as washing hands and shoes before and after entering poultry areas.

Any bird that may be displaying symptoms should be isolated from the rest of the flock for 30 days for evaluation. Sick birds can be reported by calling 866-922-2473. Additional information can be found by visiting www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/BioSpecies/BioPoultry.html.

From reports by staff writer Jeremy Childs and Tribune Content Agency.

Quick tips for flock owners

  • When you get new birds, isolate them away from the others for 30 days to cut the risk of introducing the disease to your flock.
  • Don’t let your birds have contact with wild birds, rodents or insects, which carry disease organisms. Keep your outdoor birds in a screened-in area.
  • Get your new birds from reputable, disease-free sources that use follow biosecurity.
  • Get feed from clean and dependable suppliers and store it in pest-proof containers. Provide clean and fresh water to your birds at all times.
  • Restrict access by visitors where your birds live; don’t allow other people who own birds to come in contact with yours.
  • Consult a veterinarian for more useful tips.

Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture